Rugby league’s commitment to player welfare, tackling addiction and talking about mental health was the big attraction for Tony Adams when he agreed to take over as president of the sport’s governing body.

And as he prepares for the new role, Adams issued a warning that gambling has become the new “silent addiction” and has replaced alcohol as an “epidemic” in sport.

The former Arsenal and England captain, who now devotes himself to the Sporting Chance charity he established 19 years ago, will succeed Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham at the Rugby Football League’s annual meeting in Doncaster next Wednesday.

“My nan has a bet on the Grand National and loves it once a year but for the addict it’s dangerous.

“You’ve got to be careful you don’t normalise it for the addict.”

Adams set up Sporting Chance in 1990 with the proceeds from his autobiography ‘Addicted’ and says he may now take it to Australia, thanks to the RFL’s links with the NRL.

“I think I might try and grow it globally,” he said. “There’s a lot of cross-overs with rugby league in the NRL in Australia for instance.

“There’s a natural progression to go and help the guys down there.”